Two million five hundred thousand people suffer brain injuries each year. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) hurts the brain and disrupts normal function, impacting the entire body.
Bobby Jones Law explains the different types of traumatic brain injury.
Types of TBI
There are multiple ways that the brain can get hurt. TBIs are categorized by the mechanism of injury. While all brain injuries are concerning, brain injuries vary in severity and symptoms.
Six Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
1. Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)
Diffuse axonal injury damages the tissue of the brain. It results from violent acceleration or deceleration of brain tissue. DAI injury is the destruction of the very tissues that comprise the brain.
The axons in the brain are long, slender nerve cells. They are the cables that enable the brain to communicate. The axons transmit electrical impulses that communicate with the body.
When these axons are damaged, the person sustains scattered damage in the gray and white matter of the brain. Injuries are often serious and can result in a vegetative state or death. While no surgery can cure DAI, efforts to reduce swelling can prevent further damage.
2. Hematoma
Bleeding within the layers of tissue that protect the brain is called subdural hematoma. A torn blood vessel causes blood to leak in the spaces near the brain.
Bleeding can increase pressure on the brain, which can damage it. Symptoms may appear immediately after a head injury or may be delayed. A person may experience headaches, slurred speech, balance disruptions, dizziness, or vision changes.
3. Concussion
Concussion results from a violent shaking of the brain that impairs normal brain function. It can occur with or without the head being struck directly. Brain cells can be damaged, and disruption can occur because of the disruption of the chemicals in the brain.
Some concussions are severe, while others are mild. A person may experience a variety of symptoms, like headaches or nausea. They may also feel confusion or difficulty thinking. Unconsciousness may occur.
4. Contusion
A brain contusion is the rupturing of the blood vessels in the brain, resulting in a bruise. Bruises in the brain are more serious than they are in other places of the body.
A coup contusion happens at the place of impact. A contrecoup contusion occurs on the opposite side. A brain contusion may continue to expand in the days following an initial injury.
5. Skull fracture
A skull fracture is a break in one of the bones surrounding the skull. Even though the bones are hard, they can still be subjected to forces that are too strong for them. A skull fracture can be a serious, life-threatening injury. It may result in complications, including bleeding and brain damage, and it can occur with other types of brain injuries.
6. Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), Post-traumatic dementia (PTD)
Trauma to the brain can result in long-term degenerative disorders. CTE may be caused by repeated brain trauma. Symptoms may include aggression, paranoia, disordered thinking, and depression. Post-traumatic dementia can occur after one or more incidents of brain trauma. A person with brain trauma may be more likely to develop dementia later in life.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is sudden harm to the brain from an external source. It is different from a degenerative brain condition that happens slowly over time. Rather, a TBI is acute harm due to force.
Mild TBIs: Symptoms and Recovery
Mild traumatic brain injury may not result in a loss of consciousness. A person may feel confused and disoriented or may have sensitivity to light and sound.
It’s important to rest, even when a brain injury is relatively minor. Secondary trauma can be especially harmful following any brain injury. In addition, rest can minimize the possibility of long-term complications like post-concussion syndrome.
Moderate TBIs: Long-Term Health Implications
Generally, a brain injury is moderate when loss of consciousness lasts for 30 minutes but less than 24 hours. When a brain injury is moderate, long-term health implications can arise. A person may need significant rehabilitation. The help they receive can focus on mobility and personal care. Income and career may be impacted. There may be a significant mental health component, including anxiety and depression.
Severe TBI and Life-Altering Consequences
Severe traumatic brain injury can result in fatality or life-altering injuries. A person may need personal care for the rest of their life. They may be unable to communicate, walk, or tend to personal care needs. The person may be more likely to develop complications like Alzheimer’s disease or PTSD. They may be dependent on others for the rest of their life.
Open vs. Closed Head Injuries: What’s the Difference?
The brain can be severely damaged, even if the skull surrounding the brain is not broken. When this occurs, the person has a closed head injury. There is no open wound on the head. The brain is not exposed.
An open head injury occurs when the skull breaks, leaving the brain exposed. A penetrating object may pierce the skull.
Common Causes of TBIs in Everyday Life
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Malfunctioning equipment and machinery
- Explosions, electrical accidents
- Sports accidents
- Pools and amusement park malfunctions
- Assaults
- Gunshot wounds
- Defective products
Treatment Options and Rehabilitation for TBI Patients
A person with traumatic brain injury may benefit from treatment and rehabilitation. While brain damage cannot be reversed, some things may be done to minimize its impact. Speech therapy may help a person learn to communicate, including developing new ways of communication.
Physical therapy may help a person become more mobile. Psychological counseling may address mental health needs.
Contact an Experienced Greenville Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury, we invite you to contact an experienced Greenville personal injury lawyer. You may deserve financial compensation. Bobby Jones Law represents brain injury victims in compensation claims. Contact us now to talk about your case.
